Presidential term of office<\/p>\n
On page one of The Jakarta Post dated Aug. 22 I read with
\ninterest a report about a statement made by Minister of
\nTransmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, under the title Limit
\npresidential term after Soeharto.<\/p>\n
If the title read "Limit presidential term," I would not have
\nwritten this letter. But the addition "after Soeharto" compelled
\nme to write.<\/p>\n
I cannot understand why a constitution like the one we have
\nshould depend on a person or a group of people. The constitution
\nis the highest form of law and regulation and should not be
\ndependent on a person or on a group of people.<\/p>\n
Undoubtedly, we all agree Soeharto is a great statesman and
\nhas brought tremendous changes to our country. When we look back
\nto 1966 and see where we are now, we must honestly admit that
\nIndonesia has become a power to be reckoned with, not only
\nregionally but, in my opinion, also internationally. Because of
\nwhat he has done for Indonesia, the people have reelected him
\nagain and again and that is not his fault.<\/p>\n
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has the right to
\nchoose anyone it thinks is fit to lead our country, so if
\nSoeharto is elected again, it is in accordance with the
\nconstitution.<\/p>\n
The constitution clearly stipulates that the president and
\nvice president hold office for five years and after that they can
\nbe reelected. There is no mention of the president and vice
\npresident serving only two terms in office.<\/p>\n
The MPR, which is all powerful, comprises representatives of
\npolitical organizations and the functional group Golkar, as well
\nas representatives from the armed forces and all regions. It is
\nthe MPR that is responsible for who is elected as president and
\nvice president.<\/p>\n
If we want to see the presidential term limited to two terms
\nof office, we must revise the Constitution first and not give the
\nprivilege to a certain person or group of people.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/presidential-term-of-office-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }